Do you know what Flower Essences are and what they are for?

The Story Of Bach® Flowers

The system of plant and flower-based essences was developed in the 1930s by Dr. Edward Bach, a physician and homeopath who was convinced that emotional well-being was key to overall health.

Dr. Bach devoted his life to exploring the use of flowers and plants to create a simple, natural, and gentle approach to emotional balance. He eventually went on to establish The Bach Centre in Oxfordshire, England, where he developed the essences as we know them today.

As demand for the essences grew, The Bach Centre partnered with Nelsons Pharmacy to help make and bottle the essences, and Nelsons has been responsible for the signature brand essences ever since. Nelsons is the owner of the Bach® Original Flower Remedy brand, and is the only maker authorised by The Bach Center.

WHAT ARE FLOWER ESSENCES?

Flower essences are natural remedies made from the energetic imprint of flowers. They are created by infusing the blossoms of specific plants in water, and then preserving with alcohol, to capture their unique vibrational signature.

By working on an energetic level, flower essences affect the subtle energy systems of the body to promote emotional, spiritual, and, as a result, physical healing. 

Unlike essential oils or herbal extracts, flower essences don't contain physical substances — and therefore have no scent — but instead carry the vibrational imprint of a flower’s unique healing qualities. 

WHY FLOWER ESSENCES WORK

The philosophy behind flower essences is based on the belief that emotional and spiritual imbalances can manifest as physical ailments. By addressing the root cause of these imbalances on an energetic level, flower essences facilitate healing and personal growth. 

They can assist in alleviating stress, anxiety, fear, grief, and other emotional states, promoting a greater sense of harmony and connection with oneself and the environment.

As a subtle healing remedy, flower essences probably won’t give you an immediate, noticable difference with a one-time use. However, used consistently over time, they do make a difference. 

You’ll likely wake up one day and realize that your thoughts have become more positive, and you didn’t notice it happening. Or your back pain just isn’t bothering you as much, and you’re not sure why. Or you have an inspired idea, seemingly out of nowhere. These are the essences at work!

Balance Your Emotions, Fulfil Your Potential

Agrimony

HOLD IT IN, MASK WORRIES

Communicate Openly. Positive Potential: Genuine cheerfulness & self-acceptance.

Aspen

UNKNOWN FEAR, ANXIOUS

Feel Secure. Positive Potential: Find inner peace & a fearlessness to face the unknown.

Beech

INTOLERANT, CRITICAL

Be More Tolerant. Positive Potential: Tolerance & compassion for others.

Centaury

SUBSERVIENT, WEAK WILL

Be Assertive. Positive Potential: Follow your own path, uninfluenced by others.

Cerato

SEEK ADVICE, INDECISIVE

Trust Intuition. Positive Potential: Quiet self-assurance & decisiveness.

Cherry Plum

LACK OF CONTROL, TEMPER

Be In Control. Positive Potential: Composure in the midst of disorder.

Chestnut Bud

REPEAT MISTAKES, FAIL TO LEARN

Learn From Mistakes. Positive Potential: Gain knowledge & wisdom & from the past.

Chicory

POSSESSIVE, TERRITORIAL

Love Unconditionally. Positive Potential: Care for others without the expectation of reciprocity.

Clematis

SPACEY, DAYDREAM

Have Focus. Positive Potential: Find concentration & interest in the day-to-day.

Crab Apple

POOR BODY IMAGE, “UNCLEAN”

Accept Imperfections. Positive Potential: Embrace & accept yourself.

Elm

OVERWHELMED, TAKE ON TOO MUCH

Be Efficient. Positive Potential: Keep perspective & stay self-assured when overwhelmed.

Gentian

DISCOURAGED, DOUBT

Accept Setbacks. Positive Potential: Conviction that difficulties can be overcome.

Gorse

HOPELESS, DESPAIR

Have Hope. Positive Potential: A sense of faith & hope.

Heather

TALKATIVE, SELF-CENTERED

Empathize & Listen. Positive Potential: Encourage a two-way dialogue; hear & be heard.

Holly

ANGRY, JEALOUS

Goodwill Towards Others. Positive Potential: Be generous-hearted & give without expecting a return.

Honeysuckle

DWELL ON PAST, NOSTALGIA

Embrace The Now. Positive Potential: Live in the present, letting history be a lesson for the future.

Hornbeam

PROCRASTINATE, “MONDAY BLAHS”

Procrastinate Less. Positive Potential: Face the day ahead with positivity, & without hesitation.

Impatiens

IMPATIENT, IRRITABLE

Have Patience. Positive Potential: Think & act mindfully, without haste or irritation.

Larch

LACK CONFIDENCE, LOW SELF-ESTEEM

Have Confidence. Positive Potential: To approach situations with confidence & determination.

Mimulus

SPECIFIC FEAR, SHYNESS

Face Your Fears. Positive Potential: Quiet courage to face difficulties with perspective.

Mustard

HIGH & LOW STATES, GLOOM

Be Joyful. Positive Potential: To bring joy back to life.

Oak

DIFFICULTIES LACK INNER STRENGTH

Restore Endurance. Positive Potential: To remain strong while understanding your own limits.

Olive

TIRED, LACK OF ENERGY

Restore Energy. Positive Potential: To let go, allowing revitalization & restoration of mental energy.

Pine

GUILT, SELF-REPROACH

Have Self-Respect. Positive Potential: To accept & respect yourself as you would others.

Red Chestnut

FEAR FOR LOVED ONES

Peace Of Mind. Positive Potential: To care for others without negatively impacting your relationships.

Rock Rose

PANIC, TERROR

Have Courage. Positive Potential: To show courage presence of mind in tricky situations.

Rock Water

RIGID, INFLEXIBLE

Flexible Mind. Positive Potential: To have a flexible attitude when striving for goals.

Scleranthus

MOODY, INDECISIVE

Be Decisive. Positive Potential: Certainty & decisiveness.

Star Of Bethlehem

TRAUMA, SHOCK

Neutralize Grief. Positive Potential: Strong in mind & body, learning to accept the inevitable.

Sweet Chestnut

ANGUISH, LIMIT OF ENDURANCE

Be Optimistic. Positive Potential: Hopefulness, & finding joy.

Vervain

RIGHTEOUS, ENTHUSIASM

Relax & Calm. Positive Potential: Wisdom & tolerance.

Vine

BOSSY, DOMINATE

Motivate Not Dominate. Positive Potential: Seeing the good in others, guiding & encouraging without controlling.

Walnut

CHANGE, OUTSIDE INFLUENCES

Adapt To Change. Positive Potential: Move forward & make changes in life with constancy.

Water Violet

LONER, ALOOF

Connect With Others. Positive Potential: Nurture warmer relationships in a calm & relatable manner.

White Chestnut

PREOCCUPIED, MIND RACES

White Chestnut. Positive Potential: Tranquility & peace of mind.

Wild Oat

NEED DIRECTION, AT A CROSSROAD

Decide Your Path. Positive Potential: Find confidence to decide your own path.

Wild Rose

APATHETIC, RESIGNATION

Show Enthusiasm. Positive Potential: Enthusiasm & an active interest in the world & people around you.

Willow

RESENTMENT, SELF-PITY

Forgive & Forget. Positive Potential: Forgive & forget past injustices & enjoy life.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS AND POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS

One of the wonderful things about flower essences is that they are so safe and easy to use, with no known side effects or interactions. They usually can be used with animals, children, and the elderly without any problems.

That said, the emotional transformation that may arise with use of flower essences may be intense — you’ll want to have proper support, such as a trusted therapist or holistic healer, for any emotional or mental issues that arise.

Remember: While flower essences can be a valuable tool, they are not a substitute for professional medical or psychological help when needed. If you are dealing with significant emotional challenges, mental health issues, or physical ailments, consider seeking guidance from a qualified healthcare practitioner or therapist.

Source: "BACH FLOWER ESSENCES Flower Essences Family Book

by Edward Bach

The Encyclopedia of Bach Flower Therapy book by Mechthild Scheffer "